Billie Ritchie
Billie Ritchie | |
|---|---|
| Born | William Hill: 55 5 September 1874 |
| Died | 6 July 1921 (aged 46) |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Spouse | Winifred Frances Kirby |
| Children | 1 |
William Hill, known professionally as Billie Ritchie (5 September 1874 – 6 July 1921), was a Scottish comedian who first gained transatlantic fame as a performer for British music hall producer Fred Karno — a full decade before Stan Laurel and Charlie Chaplin took a similar career path. Ritchie is best recalled today for the silent comedy shorts he made between 1914 and 1920 for producer-director Henry Lehrman's L-KO Motion Picture Company and Fox Film Sunshine Comedy unit.